Archive for month: December, 2010

The Hotline was directly impacted by a piece of legislation signed December 20 that reauthorized the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA). CAPTA provides federal funding to states, which is then distributed to public agencies and nonprofit organizations for programs and projects supporting a variety of goals necessary for eliminating family violence. FVPSA, a provision of the Child Abuse Amendments of 1984, helps fund family violence state coalitions and more than 2,000 domestic violence shelters and safe-houses.

Lynn Rosenthal, the White House Advisor on Violence Against Women, wrote a powerful post on the White House blog describing the event. Please read that article here. She described the experience of being present during the signing:

This afternoon, I stood in the Oval Office and watched as President Obama signed the reauthorization of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) which includes the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA.) As he signed this crucial bill into law, the President was surrounded by Senators and Representatives, both Democrats and Republicans, and national advocates who work every day to end domestic violence and child abuse.

CAPTA helps The Hotline support the victims who reach out to us for guidance and protection. As an organization, we are extremely grateful to the government support we’ve been given to continue providing these life-saving services.

Rosenthal concluded her post with this moving remark:

Thanks to the bi-partisan work of members of Congress who were with us today, CAPTA and FVPSA will help end abuse, give hope to victims, and provide families with the help they need. As we gathered in the Oval Office, I was thinking of the many abuse survivors I have met over the years. Thanks to CAPTA and FVPSA, their future looks brighter.

For nearly a decade, Limited Brands Inc. and their associates have participated in the Holiday Giving Tree program, which helps families who are temporarily residing in family violence shelters in communities where Limited Brands operates stores. Associates in Limited Brands home offices and stores have the opportunity to adopt families and fulfill wish requests made by residents. As part of the project, The Hotline helps connect the stores with shelters across the country. Last year, associates touched more than 29,000 lives through the Holiday Giving Tree program.

Limited Brands also runs a similar program in the spring called Adopt-a-Mom, which encourages people to donate items for mothers who are in shelters and may not be remembered on Mother’s Day. In 2010, more than 16,000 families were helped through this program.

We are proud to partner with Limited Brands in this spectacular effort to bring cheer to thousands of lives every year and lift the hearts of those working with victims. As one shelter representative said, “The compassion and support of others makes the difference. Knowing that others care, people that these women do not even know, warms their hearts and gives them just that much more strength to overcome the difficulties that are in front of them.”

Earlier this year, The Hotline honored Limited Brands Inc. for their commitment to victims of domestic violence and the community by presenting them the Vital Link Volunteer Achievement Award. Hotline celebrity board member Martina McBride presented the award to Janelle Simmons, Director of Community Relations and Philanthropy for Limited Brands, at a press conference before a rousing concert in Columbus, Ohio.

We thank Limited Brands Inc. for raising the standard of corporate responsibility by supporting their associates in community volunteerism that helps save lives and rescue families. We thank Limited Brands Associates for being the wonderful, generous people they are.

Last week the United States Senate and United States House of Representatives voted to reauthorize the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) as part of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA). This bill ensures The Hotline will continue answering calls from victims of domestic violence from across the country and that domestic violence shelters providing support to victims and their children when fleeing abusive homes will continue to exist. The passage of FVPSA/CAPTA by both the Senate and House demonstrates bipartisan agreement that safety of women, children and men is a priority. We look forward to President Obama signing the bill into law. Learn more.

Reauthorizing the Funding for the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act – Critical to Funding the National Domestic Violence Hotline

December 14, 2010 — The National Domestic Violence Hotline (The Hotline) today praised the United States Senate and United States House of Representatives for reauthorizing the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) as part of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA). This bill ensures The Hotline will continue answering calls from victims of domestic violence from across the country and that domestic violence shelters providing support to victims and their children when fleeing abusive homes will continue to exist.

“The Family Violence Prevention and Services Act is the cornerstone of our nation’s response to domestic violence, providing lifesaving services to victims of domestic violence and their children. Its passage is critical to ensuring victims of domestic violence and their children have a national hotline to call for help and that the nationwide network of domestic violence services will be there when families reach out for help,” said Dyanne Purcell, CEO of the National Domestic Violence Hotline.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline receives more than 22,000 calls for help each month. The Hotline, available at 1-800-799-SAFE, is the only national hotline for victims of domestic violence. The Hotline is operated by the National Council on Family Violence and has been based in Austin, Texas since it’s inception in 1996.

The Hotline provides 24-hour support, information and referral to domestic violence services across the country for victims of domestic violence, their children, family members, and others affected by such violence; and enables callers to find safety and protection in crisis situations. The Hotline receives funding through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families. FVPSA ensures that safe havens and links to local resources are available when families seek to rebuild their lives.

The passage of FVPSA/CAPTA by both the Senate and House demonstrates bipartisan agreement that safety of women, children and men is a priority. We look forward to President Obama signing the bill into law.

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About us:

The National Domestic Violence Hotline was established in 1996 as a component of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) passed by Congress. The Hotline is a nonprofit organization that provides crisis intervention, information and referral to victims of domestic violence, perpetrators, friends and families. The Hotline answers a variety of calls and is a resource for domestic violence advocates government officials, law enforcement agencies and the general public.

We add to our “Love Is” public awareness campaign with the release of a public service announcement from a member of The Hotline’s 15th Anniversary Honorary Committee, Denise Brown. This video is one in a series we will be releasing throughout our year-long commemoration of the 15th Anniversary.

Denise has been an informed and outspoken advocate for ending domestic violence since the murder of her sister, Nicole Brown Simpson. In 1994, she was called to Washington to testify for the historic Violence Against Women Act, which led to the creation of the National Domestic Violence Hotline and many other programs to help victims of domestic violence. She cares deeply about improving the quality of living for those who are threatened with domestic violence.

Stay tuned in the coming months for more in the series of public service announcements for our “Love is” awareness campaign.

For the seventh straight year, Liz Claiborne Inc. is sponsoring It’s Time to Talk Day on December 8, 2010, a day dedicated to ensuring that Americans speak up about a subject that most people simply prefer not to discuss — domestic violence. Representatives of The Hotline and loveisrespect will join other advocates on “Radio Row” at the Liz Claiborne headquarters in New York City to talk about domestic violence.

This year’s event will begin with a screening of Telling Amy’s Story, a riveting documentary which follows the timeline of a domestic violence homicide that occurred on November 8, 2001. NBC Today Show co-host, Meredith Vieira, will emcee the screening. The documentary is narrated by actress and member of The Hotline’s 15th Anniversary Honorary Committee, Mariska Hargitay.

To take part in It’s Time to Talk Day in your community, please consider doing the following:

Ask medical offices, hospitals, city offices if you can hang posters which include The Hotline number as a resource

Encourage local businesses to hang purple ribbons in their place of business

Encourage your local mayor and city council to recognize the day as It’s Time to Talk Day

Tweet with the #ITTTD hashtag, post information about It’s Time to Talk Day on Facebook and email your friends with empowering information about domestic violence. Help them know the signs of abuse and that help is available by calling The Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)

Talk to your friends, co-workers and family about healthy relationships and get the conversation started

Think there’s nothing you can do in one minute to help someone in a domestic violence situation? The folks at What You Can Do 365 have come up with some ideas to help you take small steps to solve big problems. In January this year, they began a year-long one-minute movement to change the world through videos highlighting a pressing social issue that shows viewers what they can do about it, even if they only have one minute of time to give. Domestic violence and teen dating abuse are two topics they recently showcased and we thank everyone at What You Can Do 365 for bringing awareness to the issue of domestic violence and teen dating abuse. Be sure and visit their website to see all their videos.

In October we launched The Hotline’s 15th anniversary with the debut of our “Love is” campaign. This campaign is aimed not only at raising awareness to our issue, but also ensuring people know they are not alone and help is available.

One component of raising awareness is ensuring people recognize the signs of domestic violence. Everyone needs to know what it is and how to spot it happening in their lives or in the lives of their friends.

Remember: Domestic violence can be defined as a pattern of behavior in any relationship that is used to gain or maintain power and control over an intimate partner.

Abuse is physical, sexual, emotional, economic or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person. This includes any behaviors that frighten, intimidate, terrorize, manipulate, hurt, humiliate, blame, injure or wound someone.

Domestic violence can happen to anyone. It happens to all races, ages, sexual orientation, religion or gender. Is domestic violence something that only happens between married couples? No. While domestic violence does apply to married couples, it can also occur between people who are living together or who are dating.

We hope that by discussing what love is, we can help show what love is not – any form of abuse. Please join us in our campaign by telling us what you believe love is and by remembering these warning signs that you – or someone you know – may be in an abusive situation.

• Your partner humiliates you or puts you down
• Your partner makes you feel bad about yourself
• Your partner controls what you do, who you see, who you talk to, where the money is spent
• Your partner prevents you from getting or keeping a job
• Your partner tells you it is your fault he hurts you and if only you wouldn’t make him act this way
• Your partner uses the children to make you feel guilty or threatens to harm the children if you do not do what he says.

Also, remember we’re always here to talk at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) and 1-800-787-3224 (TTY). You are not alone. There is hope and there is help.

This holiday season, join us in lighting up the holidays for those families affected by domestic violence.

The holidays should be a time for family and friends to share the joy and hope of the season. For those experiencing abuse, however, December can also be a particularly stressful time. Domestic violence doesn’t stop for the holidays and the added pressures of holiday expectations can worsen an already unhealthy situation. This year, help those living with abuse to know that they’re never alone, especially during the holidays.

One call to The Hotline brings compassion, courage, and a connection to help. Your donation can give a victim the gift of a new beginning and a brighter New Year.

Join us in creating a community of hope for everyone taking the courageous step to call for help over the holidays. When our phones light up at The Hotline, we want to ensure a caring voice is available to offer help. Let’s light up the holidays for callers by giving them the gift of life and hope this holiday season.

Thank you for all you do for victims, this season and every season.

There is still time to order your Love. Dignity. Respect. shirts for the holidays.

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This website was supported by Grant Number 90EV0407 from the Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families. Its contents are solely the responsibility of The Hotline and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families.

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